Corpus Christi RC Church
- Table of Contents
Corpus Christi RC Church - Sanctuary
and Nave
Listed on the National
Register
of Historic Places
Corpus
Christi Official Website |
Reproduction
Raphael, Disputa Del Santissimo apse mural: |
By Marion
Rzeznik, in collaboration with Gonippo Raggi. 2011 restoration by Roman Kujawa |
Stained
glass windows: |
By Mayer
of Munich |
2002
Photos
Sanctuary ![]() Nave and sanctuary, including apse dome and reredos The interior of Corpus Christi was fitted with over 11,000 lights -- so many that the architects thought it wise to install a generator in the basement to render the church independent of the public utility system. Lights shine not only from the chandeliers, but also along the soffits of the nave arcade and around the triumphal arch of the sanctuary. Details below: ![]() Sanctuary Apse: Above the main altar in the semidome, Marion Rzeznik, in collaboration with Gonippo Raggi, reproduced on canvas Raphael's painting Disputa del Santissimo, which represents the triumph of the Blessed Sacrament, which is the source and center of Christian life and worship. ![]() Sanctuary Disputa del Santissimo - Detail ![]() Sanctuary Disputa del Santissimo - Detail Right: John the Baptist ![]() Sanctuary Disputa del Santissimo - Detail Monstrance Note Jesus's stigmata on hand and foot ![]() Sanctuary Disputa del Santissimo - Detail Notice the figure second from the right: St, Francis of Assisi - whose face has been changed from the Raphael painting. The priests who serviced the parish were Franciscans. ![]() Sanctuary Reredos wall: angels representing two of the sacraments During the administration of the second pastor, Fr. Michael Cieslik, the interior of the church was painted for the first time, and decorated with works of sacred art. The artist, Jozef Mazur, adorned the sanctuary with paintings of six angels on canvas. They symbolize the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, Holy Orders, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick, and serve as a background for the main altar. ![]() Sanctuary Main altar ![]() Sanctuary Italian marble pulpit |
Nave ![]() Nave and Choir Loft ![]() Nave Arcade windows Romanesque arches ![]() Nave Romanesque arches Photo taken from the choir loft ![]() ![]() Nave Ribs ![]() Nave Spandrel IHS ![]() Nave The capitals of the nave columns were hand carved by J. Shepperd Craig, a Scottish immigrant who settled in Buffalo in the early twentieth century and whose hand touched several churches here. |
Special
thanks
to Corpus Christi Pastor Rev. Karl Kolodziejski, OFM, for his
cooperation in 2002